OFF THE LINE October 2018 - Volume 29 - Issue 5 - October, 2018 - Unifor Local 88
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OFF THE LINE
October 2018 - Volume 29 - Issue 5
Photo by Doris Weir
Page 1 October, 2018
In this Issue Executive Board Meetings
President’s Report: Pg. 4 Your Local Union Executive Board meets on the Tuesday prior to the last
Plant Chair Report: Pg. 6 Sunday of each month to acknowledge thank you letters from the past month,
Ergonomics Report Pg. 8 to report on activities from the past months, and to review requests and make
recommendations to the membership at our next General Membership Meeting.
Skilled Trades Pg. 9 If you have a request that you wish your Executive Board to deal with, please
Human Rights, Employment Equity, submit it by the Friday prior to the Executive Board Meeting.
Women’s Advocate Pg. 12
Retirees Report Pg. 14 General Membership Meetings
Rec Report Pg. 20
Our Local Union General Membership Meetings are on the last Sunday of
Benefits Banter: Pg. 22 each month at 10:30 am. This is your opportunity to participate in the decisions
Letters to the Editor: Pg. 27 of your local union. The membership is the highest authority in our local union.
Contacts Pg. 30 You are invited to the next General Membership Meeting: October 28, 2018.
The streets were dark but the
sounds lit them up! Over 50
attended the special march to
raise awareness about the issue
of violence against women and
children. They chanted all the
way there and all the way back,
accompanied by safety marshalls
on roller blades and with the help
of OPP and Local 88 brothers Joe
Graves and Brent Tree for traffic
control. Local 88 singer Colleen
Wake sang Pink’s “F’n Perfect”
and Nicole Zinn-Schadenberg
shared her personal story with us,
which made quite an impact.
Photos by Doris Weir
Page 2 October, 2018
The Ontario Municipal elections are soon upon us. My husband and I moved to a new
riding over a year ago. We don’t know any of the candidates in our new town. So do we
vote or just ignore it?
Think about all the services your municipal government is responsible for providing:
roads, public transit, snow removal, garbage collection, child care, local policing, fire
stations, water and sewers, ambulances, parks, social housing, and recreation.
I did some further investigation and found out that in my area, there are a number of
committees and commissions that look after things such as:
Museums, libraries, bylaws, heritage and culture, tourism, police services, landfill, waste
management, water source protection, nursing homes, and health and social services.
The most interesting committee that I learned about is the Alligator Tug Advisory
Committee which looks after the preservation of a turn of the century tug boat dubbed the
“Alligator” which used to haul timber along the Lynn River.
This tells me that I should learn who in my community best represents my position on
the issues that mean the most to me and my family.
If you ever wonder why you should vote in your municipal elections think about the
following:
Your local council also makes decisions about economic development, including how
much business and what types of businesses choose to locate in your town or city.
As for housing, will it be condominiums, single-detached homes, or high-density
housing such as town houses that has become commonplace in larger cities? Will there be
options for more affordable housing?
Do you want more diversified sports and recreation facilities?
Will your neighbourhood be more walkable?
Councillors also make decisions on the frequency of public transit or whether to
improve trails and create bike lanes, just to name a few.
Do you think your community needs more parks, new or improved infrastructure
projects such as community centres, better medical services or better roads?
Other budget decisions such as whether to maintain or improve a bridge or how much
money is spent annually on road repairs happen during the city or town’s budget process.
The Community Index of Well Being tells us that, sadly, voter turnout in municipal
elections is rarely above 50% of eligible voters, much lower than turnout in provincial and
federal elections.
Now, I just have to find out where the All Candidates meetings are for my region.
In Solidarity,
Linda Smith,
Co-Editor
Page 3 October, 2018
By: Joe Graves
SEPTEMBER 3, 2018 - LABOUR DAY BBQ PAID EDUCATION LEAVE (P.E.L.) and HEALTH
Our Recreational Committee members put tireless hours SAFETY FALL PROGRAMS
into preparing for this annual event and it clearly shows in The selection process for the Fall Education programs
the finished product every year. I would like to personally was completed and many of you have been to Port Elgin
thank Julie Fenn, Steve Pye and Monica Lovell and all of already with many more to go. Local 88 will be sending
the other volunteers who donated so much time and effort to approximately 70 members this fall to classes that cover
help so many people, especially children, have a great time. various courses. If you did not apply and are interested,
The faces and expressions on the young children who were please watch for the Spring session which usually comes
fortunate to receive a prize were priceless and the entire out in December. Once you have the opportunity to go to
Recreational Committee should be very proud of the event Port Elgin, you’ll see why people are always applying to go
they put on for the community of Ingersoll. back. The education center is first class in accommodations
There were several cheque presentations done at the end and education and the members you meet from all over the
of the day to thank some of the organizations that helped in country will make your stay a memorable one.
making our day a success. To Deak Young of the Ingersoll
Fire Service and Becky Verbruge of Ingersoll Minor United Way Campaign
Baseball, who competed in a friendly but very wet baseball The annual United Way campaigns are now underway. The
game, thank you. To Nicole Killarie of Big Brothers & Big United Way has a proven ability to make real differences in
Sisters of Ingersoll who did an awesome job with all of the people’s lives. Your ongoing support of our local United Way
little ones getting their faces painted, thank you. campaign is greatly appreciated. As we have seen through
This year Unifor 88 selected two groups in the the tough times, none of us is immune. The leadership of
community to receive donations of $2500 to help with their Unifor Local 88 encourages you to support the United Way
organizations and ongoing programs. The first group was campaign both by giving generously and volunteering where
the IVEGOTYOURBACK911 campaign which was created possible.
with intent to increase the awareness about First Responder The United Way Campaign is vital to the success of many
Mental Health. Jill Foster and Andy Labell accepted the charitable organizations in the communities in which we
cheque on the organization’s behalf. live. These charitable organizations would not be able to
The second group was the IDCI c/o Developmental function without your continued support. Your generosity
Education Class in Memory of “Miss Brittany”. Sharon does make a difference.
Spriel and Harold Duivesteyn and family were there to Unifor Local 88 would like to say thank you to Local 88
accept the donation of $2500 to their campaign. members Denise Vyse and Sue McCallum, members of
the Unifor-GM/CAMI United Way Committee, for their
ongoing support of this very worthwhile charity. This year
Local 88 member Kennedy Atkinson is the sponsored
employee of GM/CAMI and is working in the United Way
Oxford office in Woodstock from September to
December 2018.
Page 4 October, 2018
A special thank you goes out to all the canvassers that AWC YARD/OFFICE NEGOTIATIONS/
participate and are active in getting the pledges from the RATIFICATION
membership. Without your hard work and devotion to the
cause, this campaign would not be successful. Every dollar Auto Warehousing Company Inc. and Unifor 88 and
contributed will be put to good use. 222 reached a tentative agreement on September 14, 2018
in Ajax, Ontario. This tentative agreement was voted on
September 16, 2018 and ratified at 51.8%. The two local
Prostrate Cancer Campaign Information votes are combined to get the final ratification percentage.
In my position as Local President, I will receive many Some of the gains in Ingersoll were monetary as well
calls, emails and texts to meet with individuals, groups or as a signing bonus, and restoration of the vacation pay
organizations to discuss many things. A few weeks ago, I percentages and weeks. Pension contributions are now
received a phone call from a gentleman who wanted to meet put into personal accounts for each employee. Workplace
and talk about prostrate cancer. He was very convincing and issues were gained in both the office and yard contracts.
passionate about what he was explaining to me, so we set up The Ingersoll and Oshawa bargaining committees worked
a meeting at the hall for the following week. very well together in achieving an agreement. I would like
Dave Currie is a prostrate cancer survivor and is now to personally thank Mel Boelsterli, Dave Mavin and Paul
attempting to educate people of the ways to help understand Branton for all of the late nights and hard work. I would like
prostrate cancer. Dave is attempting to spread a positive to also thank Robin Dudley, our National Representative,
message about early screening and testing which will who lead us through bargaining and was instrumental in
ultimately lead to patients being treated earlier, with the achieving the gains we made.
right medications and with better success rates. Some of
the literature Dave provided to me explains that 95% of Youth Committee Volleyball Fundraiser for Cruz’s
men diagnosed with prostate cancer in Ontario are likely Wish to Walk
to survive five years after their diagnosis. I will continue to On August 26, 2018 the Youth Committee held a charity
assist Dave in educating our members on the steps to help volleyball tournament to raise funds for the Cruz’s Wish to
spread a positive message for early screening and testing. Walk in Port Stanley. Cruz is the son of Unifor 88 members
Liz Morley and Jason Rymer and requires a life changing
Building Corporation surgery for the type of cerebral palsy with which he was
Unifor Local 88 requested Magil Construction (old born. This surgery is not covered by OHIP and is being
McKay-Crocker) to update the proposed budget that was performed in St. Louis, Missouri by Dr. Park. This is a huge
prepared for the addition to the existing hall. A copy of the financial burden on the family, so fundraisers have been
proposed updated budget was presented to the Local on ongoing to help raise the funds to assist the family. At the
August 22. September 30th membership meeting the Youth Committee
presented Liz Morley with a cheque for $1300. Great work
On September 17, Mike VanBoekel, Linda Leyten, by everyone involved on the Youth Committee. For more
Brent Tree, Kim DeGraaf and I held a meeting to discuss details or to have the opportunity to help the family go to:
the proposal and prepare questions for the Magil project
manager. Numerous issues were discussed and a list of https://ca.gofundme.com/cruzs-wish-to-walk
questions was prepared for our first meeting. On Sept. 27,
Steve Arbour of Magil Construction met with Linda Leyten General Membership Meetings
and I to discuss the questions prepared by committee. The Our Local Union general membership meetings are on
timing of the construction project and what procedures we the last Sunday of each month at 10:30 am. This is the time
must take to get final approval were discussed. The executive and place for you to participate in the decisions of your local
will keep the membership fully informed of all proceedings, Union. The membership is the highest authority in our local
and, of course, get their approval before anything can Union. I invite you to attend our next general membership
proceed. At the September membership meeting I read meeting.
a notice of bylaw on the Hall addition and this will be
discussed/debated at the October membership meeting.
September 2018
Recent Retired Workers In Solidarity,
Congratulations to all the members of Unifor Joe Graves,
Local 88 that have retired since the last issue of the 519-425-0952 x101,
newsletter. On behalf of the Local 88’s Executive, In-plant Cell - 226-448-2789,
and membership, we wish you and your families the best in joegraves@unifor88.ca
your retirement years and thank you.
1096 Glenn Broome
1106 Ed Green
2591 John Stier
Page 5 October, 2018
By: Mike Van Boekel
I have no main topic to write about for this article, so I will • The Montreal Canadians have advertised more vehicles
just write, in general, some odd facts and figures about autos than any other NHL team – every time you win a Cup
that you may find interesting. These won’t be in any order of you get a parade. At the parade the players ride around in
significance. a car…that is sort of a car fact.
• The GMC Terrain was the number one vehicle for • Car crashes are the leading killer in North America for
quality in its segment the last year we built it. people under age 35.
• After one complete year of being built in Mexico, it is • Every new car/truck has approximately 30,000 parts.
now dead last in quality scores in the same segment. • 40% of drivers involved in an accident never touched
• GM should rush and put more vehicles into Mexico. their brakes.
These same plants are also building some Equinox’s • I’m not sure who has the longest daily commute to
which in turn drag the Equinox overall quality score way CAMI but we have a car pool every day from Sarnia,
down. There is an old saying that you get what you pay we had a daily car pool from Welland and one person
for. Keep paying Mexican workers $2.50 an hour and drives from Arthur every day. If you think you have
wonder why the JD Power Awards go right on by. the longest commute, call me and I will see if the local
• We are taking dead aim at BIQ 4 at CAMI and Direct will buy the person with the longest daily commute a
Run Rate at above 95%. These are two necessary evils. free tank of gas. You must drive the commute daily to
I don’t believe any North American plant will continue win and it must be the address you have registered with
to get product without these two programs – Mexico at CAMI.
$2.50 an hour obviously doesn’t need to comply; they • I saw a Lada with a personalized license plate once…
can bottom out and they still will get new products. the plate is worth more than the car.
Our reward will be less and less jobs as repair areas and • I had a Lada. It was red. We cut the back seat out and
check areas continue to get cut. BIQ 4 is simply a fancy put in a bath tub – ahhh to be young again.
way of cutting jobs. As we get closer and finally achieve • My first truck had an Olivia Newton John 8-track
BIQ 4 we will see repair, check and QC jobs slashed cassette stuck in it that could not be taken out. The
all over. However, BIQ 4 is also a requirement for new senior members are going to have to explain to some of
product, unless we agree to work for $2.50 an hour. our junior members what the heck an 8-track cassette
• We are once again likely going to win Leanest Plant player is.
of the Year. This is one award I don’t care to win. We • If you like to read, look up GM’s involvement with
already were the leanest plant at GM and they took our Germany during WW2. There were billions of profits
product to Mexico. Why not remain in the top 5 and to make producing vehicles for the Third Reich. But
spend some money on the people who build the trucks. don’t judge GM too fast; there were many other car
Kingston Penitentiary had some interesting reward companies playing both sides of the fence – profits
programs, including free meals. You can’t keep pinching before all else.
pennies when it costs you dollars in In Closing
the bigger picture.
• Henry Ford started the $5 an hour The STPT program works great
wage campaign. He doubled wages when it is used correctly. If CAMI
for auto workers overnight. Car is bringing in people as STPTs in
companies have been fighting to get place of full time hiring, then we
us to work for free ever since. have a problem. On September 5th,
• I read a long time ago that car axles I gave written notice to CAMI of
were the same distance as wagon our 60 day requirement to end the
axles from the pioneer days. The STPT program. I have no intention
wagons were the same width as the of ending it, however, I have less
Roman Chariots. That is how the intention of arguing over the staffing
width of our roads came to be. daily. If CAMI wants to retain the
• In the 1920s, the USA passed a law STPT program, we will agree on
that all major highways had to be how the program will be run or it
perfectly straight for one mile out of will end.
every five miles that they built. The
reason: any plane could make an
emergency landing if needed.
• The top three selling vehicles of all time are all still In Solidarity,
being built today; Toyota Corolla - 44.1 million, Ford Mike Van Boekel
F Series - 40 million, and the Volkswagen Golf - 33
million.
Page 6 October, 2018
Unifor Local 88
Income Statement July 2018
REVENUE EXPENSES CONT'D.
Dues-GMCL 150,595.70
Dues-RETIREES 12.00 BUILDING FUND EXPENSES
Dues-UNIFOR 425.79 BUILDING Fund Income -1,273.37
Dues-AWC 2,908.64 Hall Repair Expenses 352.88
Dues-Doug Coleman 155.91 Land Repair Expenses 2,408.11
Jacket/Hat/Gen. Clothing Income 750.00 Mortgage Interest Expense 169.73
Reimbursments 65,649.81 Heat & Hydro Expenses-Hall 1,003.69
Interest Income 47.48 Property Tax Expense 2,948.03
Other Income-Local 88 1,593.50 Bar Liquor Stock Expenses 881.29
Hall Rental Income 327.44 Cleaning 36.30
Bar Sales Income 1,635.00 Rounding-Gains/Losses 0.66
TOTAL REVENUE 224,101.27 Insurance Expense-Hall 997.38
Depreciation Expense Hall Assets 2,235.83
EXPENSES BUILDING FUND EXPENSES TOTAL 9,760.53
PER CAPITA TAX LOCAL 88 OPERATING EXPENSES
Per Capita UNIFOR National 107,757.37 GM Cami InPlant 820.48
Per Capita UNIFOR Council (London) 1,979.22 Executive 11,178.62
Area Retiree Council 2.40 UNIFOR Cou/Constit/Trades 37,032.47
Per Capita Oxford Reg. Labour 518.20 Standing Committees 2,473.83
Per Capita UNIFOR/GM COUNCIL 254.50 Other Lost Time 11,306.47
UNIFOR AUTO INDUSTRY COUNCIL -51.90 Total Lost Time Expenses 62,811.87
Per Capita P.O.E.M. Council 25.91 Telephone/Fax Expense 5,450.01
Per Capita London District Labour -576.45 Heat & Hydro Expense-Office 327.45
PER CAPITA TAX TOTAL 109,909.25 Travel Expenses GMCL 11,806.63
Bank Charges 62.19
PAYROLL EXPENSES Office Supplies Expense-Local 88 1,301.75
Wages: Local 88 1,851.67 Office Supplies Expense-Inplant 1,073.61
EI Expense 36.51 UAT Expenses 118.13
CPP Expense 54.50 Jacket/Hat/Clothing Expense 1,654.43
WCB Expense 2.57 Membership/Subscription Expense 1,976.10
Garnishment Expense 1,557.60 Donations Expense 1,925.00
Union Dues Expense -4.23 Arbritation/Legal Expenses 2,285.45
TOTAL PAYROLL EXPENSES 3,498.62 Office Equipment Expenses 2,860.15
OOP GMCL 2,055.82
COMMITTEES EXPENSES Depreciation Expense Office Assets 20.82
AWOC Committee Expenses -265.83 Depreciation Expense InPlant Assets 21.59
Education Committee Expenses -522.17 TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 95,751.00
Community Services Committee Expens -150.00
Recreation Committee Expenses -699.92 TOTAL EXPENSE 205,627.54
UPC Committee Expenses -744.17
Retired Members Committee Expenses -1,141.67 NET INCOME $18,473.73
Retired Workers Chapter Expenses -266.84
Unit Fund Committee Expenses -600.00
Communication Committee Expenses -3,612.92
Human Rights Committee Expenses -761.25
Women's Committee Expenses -996.25
Environment Committee Expenses -302.92
Memorial Bursary Committee Expenses -250.00
Young Workers' Cte Expenses -736.25
Flying Squad Expenses -1,000.00
Organizing Committee Expenses -681.67
Constitution & Bylaws Cte Expenses -560.00
COMMITTEES EXPENSES TOTAL -13,291.86
Page 7 October, 2018
By: Paco Yaholnitsky
Once again, I’d like to say “thank you” to maintenance Also, with matting, there is friction created between the
for their continuous support in my role. Their help is always floor and the shoes or boots that causes resistance when
appreciated. twisting, turning or pivoting.
I’d also like to thank the membership for the opportunity to The company does not have to provide any matting or wood
go to Canada Council. I’m very blessed and thanks again. flooring in the plant. But, it is beneficial for the Company to
I’ve been asked a lot about flooring and which is the best provide this for health reasons.
type for working on. I will try and shed some light on this Cement is the worst for you, even though you have 3%
subject. compression in your shoes or boots. I would like to have at
There are many reasons flooring s variable within each work least something on the floors besides cement. Construction
area. It depends on the applications. workers and nurses work on cement all day long.
I will try and explain some of the pro and cons of ergo- We have had wood on the trim lines for over 15 years.
matting verses wooden floors. Wood is used all over the world. The Volkswagen plant is all
Canadian maple throughout the whole plant. It requires less
First: ergo matting with a good mat density is excellent for effort to pivot and less friction. This is better for the knees and
standing in one area. A work boot with 3% compression for hips. It’s like walking on the beach; you’re very tired in such
standing and walking does the exact same thing. With matting, a short distance. Another comparison is a soft bed. Sometimes
when it’s too soft, and breaking down, it is not ideal for an any you need a firm bed. It’s also a psychological thing that you
person. The matting may sink in, and it’s hard on the knees, think it should be softer but not understanding the effects of
ankles and the hip joints. change. Each scenario is different.
If you have any questions, I can go into more depth with
each concern. Each case will be different on flooring and the
individual’s needs. It’s very hard to accommodate everyone’s
needs.
We rotate 24 people through a station and sometimes more
if the teams are bigger. The subjects typically stand on mats
for a period of usually 60 to 90 minutes.
The effectiveness of various types of flooring can be
measured. Data can be collected on subjective impressions,
tissue temperature changes in the feet and legs, swelling of
the foot and leg muscles and changes in MVC, (Maximal
Voluntary Contraction). A university is equipped to do these
studies in depth.
In closing, if you have any questions about anything please
don’t hesitate to contact me, at EXT:3351
Thx again and I will see you on the shop floor.
Thanks,
In Solidarity,
PACO
Page 8 October, 2018
By: Alex Balicki
Now that CAMI has been producing vehicles for 30 years,
we are seeing our Skilled Trades workforce retiring in greater
numbers then we have ever seen in the past. To all of our
retirees, I wish you long life and happiness post CAMI.
Many of our senior members are walking out the door
for the last time and taking many years of experience and
knowledge along with them. Over the next few years, I believe
we will see a large percentage of our workforce take their well
deserved retirement.
The upcoming large number of retirements will bring a very
significant issue to light.
I truly don’t think the company knows how ill-prepared it
is to replace all of that experience and knowledge to keep this
plant running efficiently. In past years and decades, CAMI
was able to attract the best of the provinces’ Skilled Trades
work force by offering a great package of wages, benefits, a
high degree of involvement and job satisfaction along with a
high level of job security.
“The Winning Foursome”
However, in recent years, our wages have stagnated, our DB
To start off, I would like to congratulate Steve Loosely pension was changed, and our involvement has been reduced
and his group of volunteers for putting on another successful to sitting lineside and watching computer screens for faults.
Skilled Trades Golf Tournament this Labour Day long For any new hire, the prospect of sitting lineside in welding,
weekend. The weather cooperated and I know everyone had a rotating on three shifts, having to fight for any overtime to
great time socializing outside of the plant. This years winning properly maintain the equipment, with no commitment of
foursome came from the Stamping department. They called future product from General Motors, can’t be much of a
themselves the “Organic Blueberries”. Team members were incentive to leave their present jobs.
Dana Kobayashi, Ed Wilhelm, Darryl Van Slyke, and Jeff Don’t get me wrong, CAMI is not a bad place to work, it’s
Byers. That’s three Millwrights and one Electrician working just not the sought after employer it once was. To attract the
together; not working in place of one another, but working best employees a company has to be the best of employers.
well together.
Jeff also took home the hardware for the longest drive. In Solidarity,
Closest to the pin was won by Mike Jones from Welding.
Once again, Steve, thanks to you and your team for Alex Balicki,
organizing such a successful event. Skilled Trade Representative
Tricky- Answer on Pg. 13
“Margie Younger, Ladies Long Drive Champion with
runner up Terry Layland”
Page 9 October, 2018
By: Phil
Vandermolen
On Sept 14 -16th, I had the privilege of attending the children; slavery was legal in Canada for 200 years, yet, we
2nd Unifor Human Rights Conference in Port Elgin. We are portrayed as saviours to those escaping slavery in the
heard from speakers such as Alex Neve from Amnesty south; a 48 pound, six year old black girl in Peel region is
International, author Robyn Maynard, as well as speakers handcuffed and ankle cuffed because she is seen as a danger
from the Bermuda Public Services Union. to herself and those around her. We have seen increased
We create laws to keep racialized groups separate and carding and angry black woman accusations; migrant
maintain white supremacy within this country. Bills such as: workers are just another form of slavery with their poor,
C-24 - Strengthening Canadian Citizen Act, Bill S-7 - the unsafe living and working conditions and broken promises
Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act and Bill made by employers to get them here.
C-51 - Anti-terrorism Bill, all send a dangerous message: We are glued to our devices and get much of our news
that not all citizens were as trusted, or as safe, as their from social media outlets. We say things we normally
compatriots. We are still not addressing the injustices of wouldn’t because we can hide behind our screens. There
our Aboriginal and First Nations communities; there are 81 is no regard to the backlash from such comments or the
long term drinking water advisories affecting more than 50 damage to the people and communities affected by the
Indigenous communities across the Canada, according to the comment. People’s lives have been ruined by comments
Assembly of First Nations. We still see increased violence made without thinking first. Here is a guide to commenting:
towards women and girls while we still tell them what they Stop: type it out but don’t send it. Pause: take a break and
can wear and do with their bodies. We have leadership return later. Assess: is it true? Is it hurtful? Is it legal? Is it
dictators who are disregarding human rights and our Charter necessary? Is it kind? Confirm: reread the post to confirm
of Rights and Freedoms. FYI, our right to strike is also details. Execute: send the message or delete it.
covered under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I went into the weekend struggling with my community
Since 2015, there has been a significant increase in hate activism within the LGBTQ+ community, frustrated at
groups, fake news and false information. We have seen the lack of involvement from community members and
a 600% increase in hate speech while hashtags such as questioning my contributions to the LGBTQ+ movement.
#banmuslims, #siegheil, #whitegenocide and #whitepower On Sunday, we heard the living story of Linda Bogle-
are becoming more common on media sites. Mienzer of the Bermuda Public Services Union. She
Human Rights defenders are still being prosecuted, jailed, quickly reminded me of the struggles faced by youth within
raped or even killed. We look at these abuses as being the gay community. She reminded me of the struggle to
about other countries, but the facts remain that Canada come out and be our true selves at any age and in every
has a very long list of abuses happening right here: over new situation in our lives. The risks faced are the loss
24,000 migrants were held from 2006-2014, many being of friends, coworkers and family who cannot or will not
accept them. There is an increased risk to personal safety,
suicide, harassment or even death. Linda reminded me of the
“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? importance of standing up for our rights, especially for those
In small places, close to home - so close and so small who cannot speak for themselves. She brought me back to
that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. my story, to my roots which was getting lost and forgotten
Yet they are the world of the individual person; the about; the reason I do what I do.
neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he We are a diverse country of immigrants. We must break
attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. down the barriers and support one another and lift each other
Such are the places where every man, woman, and up. If someone confronts you because of a racist comment or
child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal action, try not to take it personally. They are not speaking to
dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights you as a person, but to the comment or action. Many of the
have meaning there, racist remarks or actions are usually because of the systems
they have little meaning we live in: our laws, our places of worship, our schools and
anywhere. Without concerted our general upbringing. Rather than resist, let’s open the
citizen action to uphold them dialogue and discuss and learn.
close to home, we shall look
in vain for progress in the STAND UP. SPEAK OUT. PUSH BACK.
larger world.”
In Solidarity,
― Eleanor Roosevelt Philip Vandermolen
Page 10 October, 2018C ap and Trade
“The new Doug Ford
Government has “gutted”
By: Todd Sleeper
NDP Energy critic Peter
Tabuns said that the decision
Ontario’s climate change to cancel the renewable
programs without energy contracts will hurt
providing replacements thousands of jobs across the
as the problems of global province and damage air and
warming become more water quality. The party called
urgent,” Environmental on Ford to stop cancelling
Commissioner Dianne contracts until the impact
Saxe says in a damning can be determined. "Mr.
new report. Ford's war on science and the
“When pollution is free, environment may be pleasing
we can expect to have his friends in back rooms
more of it.” and fulfilling promises he
made to social conservatives that supported his election bid,"
What is the “Cap and Trade” program? Tabuns said in a statement, "But for the rest of us, it's going
“Cap and Trade” is when companies are capped at a specific to mean lost jobs, billions of dollars wasted, and tangible
level of carbon they are emitting into our atmosphere and environmental damage."
contributing to climate change. Over time, the limit is slowly The Ford Government said by scrapping the Cap and Trade
reduced and this will slow global warming and improve the program they will reduce hydro bills by 12 per cent. This
environment. number will be a long shot stated by critics who say we’ll
never see it. But what is the real long time costs? “Ontario
How much does it cost? is open for business! Come on in and pollute all you want
First, they have to establish a price on carbon, which is because we don’t have a cap on carbon.”
trading about $10 per tonne today. Companies get credit for Without another program to replace “Cap and Trade”, we
not going over their set limit and they get charged if they go lose out on rebates to make out homes more energy efficient,
over. This will promote new green technology and a healthier rebates on purchasing electric vehicles, thousands of job
environment. Ontario is under it’s carbon producing limit, so losses, and the opportunity to improve the air we all breathe,
the Government can trade these credits on the stock exchange, the water we all drink, the soil we grow our food in, and a
which in turn, finances many green initiatives like the Green healthy environment for future generations.
Energy Rebate, the Electric Vehicle Rebate, landfill methane
gas plants, and solar and wind projects.
In Solidarity,
Many people in Ontario have already lost their job due Todd Sleeper,
to the 758 environmental projects cancelled by the Ford Unifor Local 88 Environment Committee
government.
A WC Update By: Mel Boelsterli
On behalf of the members at AWC, I would like to thank all Members of Local 88,
Local 222 and Unifor National for their guidance and support. The last couple of contract negotiations definitely
didn’t go in our favour but this time we took no concessions and even negotiated an eight percent wage increase
over three years.
In Solidarity,
Mel Boelsterli,
AWC Chairperson
Page 11 October, 2018Let’s talk about Suicide and Mental Health Awareness By: Alexandra McCoy
Stig·ma – a mark of disgrace associated with a particular
circumstance, quality, or person. health problems due to the cost of direct services and lost
productivity, as 500,000 Canadians miss work annually due to
Suicidal ideation – having thoughts about killing oneself.
mental illness.
Over the course of the last couple of weeks, I have been
Mental health problems are a common reason for Canadians
fortunate enough to attend two training courses that have
to consult their physicians. According to the Mental Health
provided me with tools integral to the betterment of my role,
Commission of Canada, 20% of the Canadian population was
and representing the membership. The first was the Applied
affected by a mental health problem or illness in any given
Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), which was
year. That equates to ONE IN FIVE. So, now that we know
held at the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in
the statistics, we must ask ourselves why we continue to
Woodstock, Ontario. The ASIST workshop prepares caregivers
perpetuate the stigma. Stigma results in the exclusion of people
of all backgrounds to provide suicide first aid to those at risk.
with mental health problems from daily activities that many
The practical training is delivered by LivingWorks, which is
of us have the luxury of taking for granted. People affected
a “community service company that develops, delivers and
by mental illness are often subjected to negative attitudes
distributes programs for the prevention of suicide”.
(prejudice) and negative behaviours (discrimination). They
This course focused on suicide prevention and intervention, are often told to “suck it up”, and that they cannot “cope with
how to have an open dialogue about suicide, dismantling reality”. They are stereotyped as lazy, violent, crazy, and the
suicide plans and keeping people “safe for now”. It provided list goes on. We develop these fears and fixed ideas about
me with the education and tools to feel confident in assisting people who have mental illness; people who were either born
those struggling with suicidal ideation, and getting them the with or who have developed a sick brain. The brain is an organ,
professional help that they need. and that organ is ill. Could you imagine if we treated those
According to statistics, the population of Canada in 2013 with heart disease or cancer the way we treat the mentally ill?
was 35,158,304 and there were 4,054 reported suicides that One of the most impactful things I took from this workshop
year. It is estimated that there are 5%-25% additional suicides was an ad that really made me think:
that go unreported, and that almost two million Canadians have
suicidal ideation annually.
In 2016, after a crisis of youth suicides in Woodstock,
A LOT OF PEOPLE
our local paid to offer “SAFETalk” to anyone who wished
to attend. The proposal came from our Young Workers
GET CANCER BECAUSE
Committee, in an attempt to help prepare, educate, and provide
tools to those struggling with thoughts of suicide in our small THEY CANNOT
community. SAFETalk is a three hour workshop that was
designed to teach community members to recognize persons
with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid
COPE WITH REALITY
resources. “Suicide alert helpers are part of a suicide-safer
community.” “We all know that people do not get cancer from their
inability to cope with reality, just like we ought to know that
An untold number of people are affected by these deaths, people do not get an Anxiety Disorder because they cannot
including families, friends, and coworkers and in the case cope with reality.”
of Woodstock, Ontario, entire communities. Unfortunately,
there is still a stigma surrounding suicide that continues to Please remember that no one wants to be mentally ill. Help
be a barrier to open dialogue of the topic. This stigma could us break the stigma around suicide and mental illness. Help us
be preventing those with suicidal ideation from reaching build an inclusive workplace, community and world so that no
out and seeking professional help. The same is true when it one else has to spend their life suffering in silence.
comes to the stigma around mental illness, which brings me If you or anyone you know are in need of help please do not
to this week’s course: Mental Health First Aid Basic Training. hesitate to reach out to me or our EFAP Representative, Jeff
This course covered everything from defining mental health, Ramackers – 519-533-3059.
anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, substance abuse
disorders and suicide. The training focused on providing first
aid to those experiencing a mental health crisis, diffusing the In Solidarity,
situation, keeping them safe, and assisting them in getting Alexandra McCoy,
the professional help that they need and deserve. Some of the Human Rights/Employment Equity Representative,
information, facts and statistics were absolutely staggering. It 226-678-5724
is estimated that $50 billion dollars is spent annually on mental
Page 12 October, 2018By: Denise Vyse and Sue McCallum
Sue and I have been working hard up in our brand new
“home”, near Alex McCoy’s office (near HR), getting ready
for canvassing! If you’re in the neighborhood, pop in and say
“hi” and get some chocolate!
We have a few departmental/shift openings for anyone that
has a heart for United Way and are interested in volunteering
with the campaign by canvassing or selling raffle tickets.
Sue McCallum and I are excited to begin our term as Please send us an email at denise.vyse@gm.com or susan.
campaign co-chairs for the 2018 United Way Campaign mccallum@gm.com with your name, department, shift and
here at CAMI! contact information and we will get back to you.
We would like to welcome our 2018 Sponsored In closing, we would like to send out a huge “THANK
Employee for United Way Oxford— Kennedy Atkinson! YOU” to our membership for your generosity last
Kennedy is in assembly on B shift. Although she is very year. We raised over $535,000! Keep an eye on the TV
new to our United Way committee this year, she has a huge screens in your break areas for more information about
heart for others, for her community and for United Way. United Way. You have helped thousands of people in our
Good luck Kennedy! It is an experience of a lifetime! communities!Together, we change lives.
As past years’ sponsored employees at Elgin Middlesex
(Sue) and Oxford (Denise) United Ways, we both had
the opportunity to see firsthand, the ongoing needs in our In Solidarity,
communities. We were able to visit various agencies across Denise Vyse & Sue McCallum,
these counties and see the need for the funds raised during 2018 United Way Campaign Co-Chairs
our campaign.
Together Tricky Answer from Pg 9
we change
lives
We soon both realized that we live very privileged lives.
So many people are living in poverty, fighting mental
illness or starting over with nothing after fleeing a war-
torn country. If you want to see where your money goes,
contact the Elgin Middlesex United Way or United Way
Oxford. They would be happy to arrange a tour of one of
the many agencies they support.
Page 13 October, 2018Retired Workers Report By: Brian Ginty
We held our retiree meeting on September 12th. In We also recognized striking members from Owen Sound,
attendance were 20 retirees and three spouses. Brent Tree OPSEU 227, who told us of how important the support of
came by and brought everybody up to date on events taking Unifor was during their strike.
place in the plant. Tuesday began with a bus trip to support the OPSEU
We had a meeting with Linda Leyten, who brought us up workers at Owen Sound.
to date on our finances and how the figures are arrived at. After lunch focused on Proactive aging with presentations
For the annual Christmas lunch, on November 14th, we from the Heart & Stroke Foundation about the risk factors
will be asking for a deposit of $25 per person, and when they of heart attack and stroke, the Canadian Centre for Activity
show up for the meeting and meal, they will get the money & Aging about fall prevention, the Alzheimer’s Society of
back. IF THEY DO NOT SHOW UP, THE MONEY will be Grey Bruce, the Diabetes Society of Grey Bruce and Dr. Aric
used to pay for their plate. Sudicky about preventative approach to healthy aging.
Bob Scanlon is the first 30 and out retiree from the plant. On Wednesday we heard from Naureen Rizvi, Ontario
Regional Director of Unifor, and then we began discussing
Retiree Council resolutions.
Four members of the retiree executive board attended Thursday we heard from Richard Van, Unifor’s director of
the annual Retiree Conference held in Port Elgin from Finance, and then continued on with resolutions.
September 2 - 7. Bob Scorgie, Deb Cox and Chuck Smith all There were resolutions passed about health including
came away impressed with the conference. National Pharmacare, medical cannabis, alzheimer’s etc.
Barb Dolan, Director of Retired Workers, greeted Another category was about housing with resolutions such as
everyone. The Labour Day parade had many organizations lack of elevators in long term residences and nursing homes.
participating including OPSEU, Carpenters Union, and The next section dealt with PCOLA, Retiree Benefits
International Brothers of Electrical Workers. shortfalls, the CLC, protections against the selling of
Guest speakers included Naureen Rizvi and Richard Van. Canadian waters, pay equity, reverse mortgages, and public
Dr. Aric Sudicky spoke on age related topics, and how most transit.
of these TV diet “professionals” are very misleading. There were also a number of government briefs about
There were more than 40 resolutions passed during the NAFTA, Affordable Childcare, Restoration of the Mandate
week. of the Bank of Canada, Postal Banking, Bill C-27, a National
Pharmacare Program, a National Dental Program, Better
Oxford Regional Labour Council Care for Frail Older Adults, and Proportional Representation.
Due to the disassociation of Unifor with the CLC, I, along Our Banquet was preceded by a hospitality event at
with the other Unifor members sitting on the Oxford Region Nick’s Place and followed by a social and dance in the main
Labour Council, stepped down from our positions. auditorium.
Slainte,
National Retired Workers Council Report Brian Ginty
We arrived on Sunday afternoon and were welcomed by
Barb Dolan, Director of the Retired Workers, and then we Easy - Answer on Page 26
were greeted with an Aboriginal opening acknowledging
the land we were on (Saugeen).
The evening was topped off with a “Meet ‘n’ Greet” at
Nick’s Place.
On Labour Day we were bused to Port Elgin to join in the
Labour Day Parade, which was very well attended. When
we returned to the centre there was a huge BBQ open to all
the community who participated in the parade. Buses came
from Unifor Local 444 from Windsor and
Local 222 out of Oshawa as well as many other unions such
as OECTA, OSSTF, the Carpenters Union, Power workers,
ETFO, OPSEU and so on.
After the BBQ, we heard from the mayor of Saugeen
Shores, Mike Smith, the president of the Grey Bruce
Labour Council, Kevin Smith, and Unifor National
Secretary Treasurer, Bob Orr.
Page 14 October, 2018Photos by Brian Ginty Page 15 October, 2018
Photos by Doris Weir
Labour Day
Page 16 October, 2018Labour Day Photos by Doris Weir Page 17 October, 2018
Page 18 October, 2018
U Page 19 October, 2018
By: Julie Fenn
jeweleryjulie@hotmail.com
We have a few upcoming events that have
always been well attended.
Turkey Rumble Run October 5
This has generally been only bikes but after last
years strike rumbles we would encourage vehicles
to join us. Meet at the hall for coffee and treats
at 10:00 am. We start our engines at 11am and
take a windy twisty ride to Port Stanley where we
have lunch at the Buccaneer Restaurant. The hall
is open afterwards for social time for any to join.
This is a free event and there is lots of Unifor
swag to give away.
October 27 is the Halloween Bash
This is a free event with prizes for best
costumes and food prizes. There is a live band as
well as a cash bar.
We will be having a New Year’s Eve dance this
year with TWO live bands, Shattered and Sundog.
Stay tuned for details.
Our committee is starting to plan 2019 events.
If you have any ideas you want to put forward
and/or want to help with events, contact Julie
Fenn at the above email address.
P.O.E.M.
(Perth Oxford Elgin Middlesex)
Regional Recreation Events
Poker Tourney
October 14 - At Local 88 hall
Euchre Tourney
October 20 - Dominion House in Stratford
See flyers in Off the Line for details or contact
Julie Fenn.
Page 20 October, 2018By: Dan Borthwick
I hope you all had a great summer and enjoyed some of Magna Formet - There is an active organizing drive that
your vacation time away from your workplaces. is going on at the St. Thomas Magna Formet plant. Unifor
I’d like to congratulate the Unifor Local 88 AWC and Magna have a Framework of Fairness Agreement (FFA),
bargaining team for the tremendous work that was done to which permits the parties to bargain an agreement on behalf
achieve a new collective agreement. Well done! of the affected employees. Once an agreement is reached
and ratified by the employees, the agreement will come into
So, it has been five months since I have moved on. It has force.
been a very busy time. As you all should know, I am working
out of the Unifor Organizing Department in the Unifor Therefore, we are asking employees to sign a FFA Interest
Kitchener Office. Card that authorizes and endorses their support for Unifor to
notify Magna Formet that they wish to enter into collective
The current organizing campaigns that I am assisting with bargaining and to commence the Framework of Fairness
include: Agreement at Magna Formet.
Toyota - There are two assembly plants in Cambridge. Magna has three other locations where the workers are
Cambridge South opened in 1988. It currently builds the represented by Unifor Local 2009AP. They include Magna
Lexus. Cambridge North opened in 1997. It currently builds Windsor Modules, Magna Qualtech St. Thomas and Magna
the Corolla. Toyota has a third assembly plant in Woodstock Mississauga.
(West) which opened in 2008. It currently builds the RAV4.
There are more than 8,500 production and trades workers at Magna Formet workers can see a comparison between
the three locations. the Unifor/Magna collective agreements and the current
conditions at Magna Formet. Through this link workers can
I have been meeting with Toyota workers that have been access a comparison document: uniforlocal2009ap.com/mc
involved in past organizing to discuss prior and future
organizing campaigns. The meetings and discussions have If any Unifor Local 88 member has family, relatives or
been going well. Toyota workers have the same issues as all friends working at Magna Formet and they want to see their
auto workers: production standards, ergonomics, health and workplace organized they can contact Aaron Neaves @ 519-
safety, benefits and pension issues, aggressive attendance 354-5800 ext.2223 or contact me.
policy, etc. The list goes on. Meridian Lightweight Technologies Inc. - There is an
active organizing drive that is going on at both Meridian
Lightweight Technologies Inc. plants (High St. & Wright St.)
in Strathroy.
If any Unifor Local 88 member has family, relatives or
friends working at Meridian Lightweight Technologies Inc.
and they want to see their workplace organized they can
contact Aaron Neaves Unifor National @ 519-354-5800
ext.2223 or contact me.
Gateway Casino- There is an active organizing campaign
that is taking place at Gateway Casino London (Western
Fair).
If any Unifor Local 88 member has family, relatives or
friends working at Gateway Casino and they want to see
their workplace organized they can contact Aaron Neaves,
Unifor National @ 519-354-5800 ext.2223 or contact me.
On a positive note, signed cards continue to come into In Solidarity,
the office, indicating there is interest among the workers at Dan Borthwick,
Toyota. With that said, we are in the very early stages of an L: 519-893-4873 Ext. 2236,
organizing campaign. There is a lot of work ahead. Toll free/sans frais: 1-800-265-2884 Ext. 2236,
If any Unifor Local 88 member has family, relatives E: dan.borthwick@unifor.org
or friends working at Toyota and they are interested in
becoming involved in an organizing drive please have them
contact me.
Page 21 October, 2018By: Jeff Bankes,
Stephan Cronin & Rob Gallace
ANNUAL OVER AGE DEPENDENT AUDIT • Six months before you reach your retirement eligibility,
you can request a Commuted Value (CV) Estimate. It
By now, everyone should have received the
will include the monthly amount on the estimate you
GREENSHIELD OVER AGE DEPENDENT
get back. The first one is free and is from Mercer, the
CONFIRMATION FORM at your home address from
company looking after our pensions. They include a
General Motors Canada. If you have not received this
second one in your actual retirement package after you
form, you should immediately call or go to the company
retire. If you need any more past those, they will cost
benefits office to inquire about your form. These forms
you $300 each.
were to be returned to the Green Shield Canada office by
• To actually retire: There is a form to fill out to initiate
Friday, September 28, 2018. If the form is not returned by
your pension payment option. This form is to be filled
this date, your over age dependent will be automatically
out by you and signed by your supervisor. Once that is
cancelled effective November 1, 2018. Our office strongly
done, you would submit it to ER. The company wants
recommends that this information be returned immediately
this form 60 days before your retirement date, and you
to ensure health care benefits continue for your dependents.
must retire on the first day of the month.
This is separate from the Dependent Scholarship. If you
• Picking your retirement payment option: This doesn’t
had applied for the Dependent Scholarship, this will not be
take place until you actually leave the plant. About
sufficient for the audit. As well, if you only did the audit, it
three weeks after you have actually retired you will
does not automatically give you the scholarship. You’ll need
receive a package in the mail outlining your retirement
to fill out and submit both separately. Any questions you
options. This is where you will make the decision if
may have on this form and the benefits that it affects, please
you take the monthly or the commuted value. If you
contact our office.
take the commuted value, you will want to take part of
Editorial Note: The over age Dependent Confirmation your package to a money manager to help set up funds.
Form applies to your dependant children over age 21 who You can bring the package back into our office and we
are still in school. will ensure everything is filled out correctly. We can
also send your package back to Mercer for you from
our office.
Orthotics
We’d like to remind everyone
Workplace Safety & Insurance Board
that if you are looking to purchase This is by far the most frustrating benefit our members
orthotics, it is a covered benefit must go through to get what they’re entitled to, as well as
under Green Shield. However, the most bureaucratic agency to deal with. Our office, over
you need to use a provider on the the years, had the ability to work through the issues and
approved list. We can print the list paperwork to get members of Local 88 benefits they would
off for you, or let you know if the provider you are looking be entitled to when they injure themselves at work. That
to use is on the list. You can also access the list on Green does not seem to be the case anymore when someone gets
Shield online or on the Green Shield app. injured at Cami. What used to happen at WSIB was they
would gather all of the information from the worker, the
30 and out Prior to Age 55 employer and your doctor, look over this information and use
what information they could to see how the injured worker
An inplant update memo has gone out in relation to issues could have injured themselves. Now, the Workplace Safety
surrounding the 30 and out pension for those taking it before & Insurance Board gathers all of the same information but
age 55. We had a meetings with GM over the issue and we seems to be looking for what information they can use to
are awaiting word back from them. Once we have more deny a claim, such as your age, any mention of pre-existing
information, we will be sure to let the membership know. conditions, or anything else that they can use to deny claims.
If you fall into this category, you are more than welcome to Just recently we had a brother who injured himself and
speak to one of us. the claim was allowed as an accident but his lost time was
denied. The reason was: modified work was offered to him
Steps to Retirement even though he could not walk or drive a car. The company
We have a lot of members who are approaching their early offered to pick him up and give him sit or stand work, which
retirement eligibility. There have been lots of questions in most cases would seem to be quite accommodating.
being asked about the steps to retirement. Here are some of Unfortunately though, when someone experiences an injury
the steps to take as you approach retirement: there usually is an acute period of pain; in this person’s
case he could not sit, stand or move. So, no matter how
• You can come up to our office at any point and we can light the work was that was being offered to him, he could
do a monthly pension estimate for you based on your not perform any work. He really needed a few days for his
retirement requests. We can also help you figure out medication to take effect and the pain to subside. This seems
your pension time, and earliest date to retire. to be the norm now when dealing with WSIB. They will
Page 22 October, 2018allow the accident but if any lost time is involved they deny No Coverage for Semi-Private hospital rooms
it because they’re allowing employers to offer any make up
Almost every month our office gets a call to ask if we
work of any type to avoid paying lost time claims. In the
have semi-private hospital coverage. Unfortunately, out of
past, they usually would allow those first couple of days of
2010 negotiations, reimbursement ceased to be available
lost time because they knew there was an acute period of
for covered persons who were admitted on or after October
pain but that does not seem to be the case anymore. So, if
1, 2010. So, when one of your dependents or you are being
you unfortunately incur a work-related injury, please call
admitted to the hospital and administration asks what
our office so we can inform you of what’s required and what
coverage you have, you need to tell them ward.
you’re about to experience when dealing with the Workplace
Safety & Insurance Board.
Retirees Chapter
DO’s and DON’Ts Brian Ginty has been chairperson for our Local 88 Retirees
If you do injure yourself at work here is a list of do’s and Chapter for quite some time now and has been a great asset
don’ts for reporting a workplace injury. This article cannot to keeping this chapter going. With the upcoming increase in
be printed enough since everyday people are getting injured the number of retirees, Brian has asked if we could mention
and if they followed these do’s and don’ts we would not in the newsletter that Local 88 retirees have a monthly
have as many WSIB concerns as we do. meeting at the Local hall. These meetings are great to just
socialize with friends and coworkers of the past and get up to
DO: date on current events in the Union or play a game or two of
• REPORT YOUR INJURY/ILLNESS IMMEDIATELY euchre. The more members we get attending and paying dues
Do not wait until end of day or the next day or following of $2.00, the stronger the voice of Local 88 Retirees Chapter
a weekend. Immediately means NOW. will have in their Union.
• COMPLETE AN INCIDENT/ACCIDENT REPORT
FORM Green Shield “On the Go” Phone Application and
Detail what caused the injury/illness, what it is and any Website Services
witnesses that were around. You can download the Green Shield application by going
• REPORT YOUR INJURY/ILLNESS TO YOUR to either the AppStore on Apple or Play Store on Android.
COMPANY HEALTH CENTRE Green Shield also continues to provide their services to plan
Inform your company Health Centre that you are members on their website. The service provides you instant
reporting a work related injury/illness and that you will be access to your claims history and helps to answer those
seeking outside medical attention. The company completes important questions. Once registered, you will have online
and sends to WSIB a ‘Form #7’. The WSIB does not access to:
recognize our company Health Centre as an outside medical
service.
• SEE YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY
This means the same day or going to a Walk-In Clinic
or Hospital Emergency Department if your doctor is
unavailable. Inform your doctor that you want to report a
work related injury/illness. The doctor must complete a
WSIB Physicians Report (Form #8) and submit it to WSIB.
• FORM #6
After receiving both the Form #7 and #8, WSIB sends • Direct Deposit of claims payment to personal bank
you a Form #6. When you receive it, bring it to your Union account;
Benefits Rep. who will help you complete the form in detail. • Explanation of Benefits information;
Attach any related documents, such as medical information, • Personal claims information;
job description or witness statements. • Claims payment history;
• DOCUMENTATION • View eligibility for dental recalls, orthotics, and
Document everything that you do that is related to glasses/contact lenses;
your injury/illness. Start a file. Have your Benefits Rep. • Print a copy of your statement for Coordination of
photocopy any and all correspondence sent to WSIB. Benefits or tax purposes;
• Print or view a copy of your Green Shield Card;
• DISCUSS WITH DOCTOR ANY MODIFIED WORK
• And much more.
COMPANY MAY OFFER TO YOU
All you have to do is register online using your unique
DON’T: Green Shield Canada ID number and provide your email
address. You will be mailed a password from Green Shield.
• DO NOT DELAY Once you receive your password, your account will need
This could lead to problems. to be activated and you will be automatically required to
• DO NOT ASSUME change your password before accessing any of the services.
Make sure all your DO’s are complete and copies of all
documentation is in a personal file. Benefits Banter continued on Pg 24
Page 23 October, 2018You can also read
